Old Sins, Long Shadows

When In Rome

Leave off asking what tomorrow will bring, and
whatever days fortune will give, count them
as profit, and while you're young don't scorn
sweet love affairs and dances

~~ Horace

Their second day in Rome announced its arrival, sparkling through the bedroom window. The sunlight teased Hermione from a tranquil sleep. Lingering in the silkiness of luxurious linens under a fluffy duvet, she pushed back her hair, blinked her eyes and stretched. 

The bathroom door opened. She turned her head. Severus was dressed in his usual black trousers and white shirt, these of a more relaxed linen material, more loose fitting than his suits. At his side, in one hand, he carried a pair of brown leather walking loafers. His shirt hung open, yet to be buttoned. 

Great goddess Circe! 

"Oh. Good morning."

Hearing her voice he looked up. Struck momentarily immobile at the sight of a beautiful woman languishing seductively in a rumbled bed, cinnamon hair overspread across the pillows and her face still in that stage of waking, Severus froze. 

Merlin's blue balls, she is beautiful! Discipline. Control. 

He tried very hard to appear unaffected,

"Morning, Granger."

Hermione's brain wasn't fully engaged as she was mesmerized by the sight of his exposed chest and abdomen,

My Circe, he's fit.

"What time is it?"

Severus had turned to the door trying to avoid inflicting further strain on his libido,

"Half Seven. I took the liberty of ordering breakfast in the room. Should be here shortly. Cappuccino and cornetti, or rather croissants, if that suits?"

Hermione replied sheepishly,

"Mmmm, sounds yummy. Thank you."

Out of the bedroom, Severus sat down heavily. He had already de-transfigured his bed back into a sofa. Blowing out a long sigh he tried to get his mind...and body...to behave,

Stop it! She is my partner! Control your emotions! Discipline!

A knock at the door. Breakfast. The waiter set the tray on a table, accepted his tip and left. Hermione had emerged a few minutes prior in her navy blue slacks and white shell top. Her mind was still on the linen trousers and shirt Severus wore, who now donned the brown loafers sans socks,

He looks so...Italian. 

Then he spoke. 

Oh dear Circe's tits, that voice.

"Granger, before we embark on our sightseeing tour I need a haircut. It shouldn't take more than an hour."

She sat next to him on the sofa picking up her cup of cappuccino,

For Freyja's Sake, he smells amazing!

He noticed she was staring,

"Granger?"

Hermione snapped out of her fantasy,

"Oh. Ok, that's fine. I was wanting to pop into a shop to get an outfit or two anyway. I didn't really bring anything appropriate to wear for sightseeing...just my suits."